Recanalization strategies in childhood stroke: a 3-year surveillance study in Germany

Objective Childhood acute ischemic stroke (CAIS) is a rare event. Diverse etiologies, risk factors, symptoms and stroke mimics hamper obtaining a fast diagnosis and implementing immediate recanalization strategies. Methods Over a period of 3 years (2015–2017), the data of 164 pediatric patients (> 28 days of life-18 years) with a first episode of AIS were submitted to a hospital-based nationwide surveillance system for rare disorders (ESPED). We report a subgroup analysis of patients who have undergone recanalization therapy and compare these data with those of the whole group. Results Twenty-eight patients (17%) with a median age of 12.2 years (range: 3.3–16.9) received recanalization therapy. Hemiparesis, facial weakness and speech disturbance were the main presenting symptoms. The time from onset of symptoms to confirmation of diagnosis was significantly shorter in the intervention group (4.1h vs. 20.4 h, p = < 0.0001). Only in one patient occurred a minor bleed. Cardiac disease as predisposing risk factor was more common in the recanalization group. Conclusion Recanalization therapies are feasible and increasingly applied in children with AIS. High awareness, timely diagnosis and a large amount of expertise may improve time to treatment and make hyperacute therapy an option for more patients improving their outcomes.